Player Watch Player Watch: Oliver Skipp

[EQP]

He asked to go on loan specifically so that he'd get time on the pitch instead of sitting on our bench every week.

True. All credit to him because in a short space of time he's shown that he's capable of playing against men and he has yet to look out of place. I disagree with the notion that he would sitting on our bench every week though. I can see him taking Sissoko's place in our team to give us a truly solid CM base that can win the ball back, receive the ball in tight spaces, resist the press and most importantly, pass the ball accurately.

 

[EQP]

Skipp seems to be doing really well at Norwich, but I think people are setting themselves and him up for a fall if they think he’s going to come straight back into the squad here and magically solve our problems in his position.

He looks really good, don’t get me wrong, but give the guy a bit of space to succeed (and at times fail.)

Shadydan is spot on when he says Skipp should stay at Norwich for the whole season. Breaking the loan would be massively counterproductive both for Skipp and for our ability to loan players out in the future.

Tad bit dramatic, considering we loaned Edwards to Norwich and it completely bombed due to Marcus's behavior but recalling Skipp to play for us would break other club's trust in us? I'm only asking us to consider recalling Skipp on the basis that he's doing very well on his loan in the DM position and for the quite scary fact that no other CM can step in and cover for PEH, if he were to go down injured or get suspended. Plus, as I said in my previous post, I can see Skipp him taking Sissoko's place in our team to give us a truly solid CM base that can win the ball back, receive the ball in tight spaces, resist the press and most importantly, pass the ball accurately.

 

[Tucker]

Tad bit dramatic, considering we loaned Edwards to Norwich and it completely bombed due to Marcus's behavior but recalling Skipp to play for us would break other club's trust in us?

You are comparing two completely different scenarios there. Like you say we recalled Edward’s because it didn’t work out. Were we to recall Skipp because it is working out, why would any team give trust to us or a youth player making them a key part of their team, knowing full well we will pull them back from loan at a moments notice.

It is better for Skipp that he stays out on loan and plays week in week out, rather than come home and sit on the bench.

 

[EQP]

You are comparing two completely different scenarios there. Like you say we recalled Edward’s because it didn’t work out. Were we to recall Skipp because it is working out, why would any team give trust to us or a youth player making them a key part of their team, knowing full well we will pull them back from loan at a moments notice.

It is better for Skipp that he stays out on loan and plays week in week out, rather than come home and sit on the bench.

The point I was trying to make with the Edwards reference is that it is much harder to convince clubs to take your players on loan if they've had a "bad" experience with one of your players rather than a good experience. Plus, most loans have recall clauses. The other team is already taking one of our players on the basis that they get game time and eventually come back to the parent club. Whether that is a short term loan (6 months) or full season, is dependent on the team(s) and player. Why would clubs all of sudden feel hard done when they signed the contract with those stipulations and then said stipulations were activated? If anything, the fact that we're recalling said player based on positive performance indicates that we can trust that club with our player development and opens the door for future loans. If Norwich, or any other club, don't want to risk the parent club recalling a player, they can simply ask for this before loaning in the player.

 

[punkisback]

I would recall him in jan if we can? So many games to play and don’t want to rely on PEH as our sole DM.

 

[EQP]

I would recall him in jan if we can? So many games to play and don’t want to rely on PEH as our sole DM.

I believe so and I'd like to see us take that option to recall Skipp as none of Winks, Sissoko, Ndombele, GLC or Gedson can adequately replace or step-in for PEH as a true defensive minded CM, if he were to get injured or suspended. Until January, I'll just sit and pray that we don't see any injuries to our players during the hectic December schedule.

 

[Shadydan]

So we recall him and if he plays like shit what's the plan then, send him back to Norwich on loan?

 

[TheTanguy]

Let him play a lot and improve even more at Norwich this season and we've got a 'new' midfield gem in August.

 

[EQP]

He gets a full year at Norwich and then comes back next season and plays like shit, do we then send him back to Norwich on loan?

 

[EQP]

Let him play a lot and improve even more at Norwich this season and we've got a 'new' midfield gem in August.

Well said! I'm not against him staying at Norwich for the remainder of his loan. I'm simply pointing out that we don't have a suitable PEH stand-in outside of Skipp and I highly doubt Levy will sanction a new DM signing in January. I'd be more than thrilled if PEH doesn't get injured this season and Skipp comes back next year ready to challenge for the DM position. Thing is, with this congested fixture list and the fact that PEH is the only one who does what he does, I can see Jose playing him more than he would like. More fixtures + less time to recover = higher chance of muscular injuries.

Sidenote: I realize that I'm making a very generous leap with the idea that a 20 year old with less than 40 appearances in all competitions can step in and replace our most consistent CM but can someone tell me who they would prefer to step in for PEH if he gets injured?

 

[Shadydan]

He gets a full year at Norwich and then comes back next season and plays like shit, do we then send him back to Norwich on loan?

That scenario is far more suitable and sensible than the one that breaks his current loan

 

[EQP]

That scenario is far more suitable and sensible than the one that breaks his current loan

Skipp's been with the 1st team since he was 17/18 and both Pochettino and Mourinho have made reassuring comments about his professionalism, his attitude, his drive and how he'll end up being a mainstay at Tottenham for years to come. I'm not seeing the downside of recalling him in January so he can come back and compete in the Premier league, Europa League and FA Cup. He's thriving at Norwich and honestly, I wouldn't even consider recalling him if he wasn't a defensive minded CM but because he plays in similar position to Højbjerg and more importantly is showing Højbjerg like sensibilities with his reading of the game, defensive output and overall performances, I'm all for it. It's real simple, we need cover and competition for Højbjerg. Outside of buying someone in January, Skipp is the only viable option we have.

 

[Yid121]

I would actually like to see Skipp get promoted with Norwich and then play a season with them in the Premiership to complete his development

 

[alexis]

I would actually like to see Skipp get promoted with Norwich and then play a season with them in the Premiership to complete his development

Agreed but think as with previous he’s natural cover for PEH and on account of him doing well he has the most opportunity to come into the first team. He could well be ready to play now.

 

[Shadydan]

Skipp's been with the 1st team since he was 17/18 and both Pochettino and Mourinho have made reassuring comments about his professionalism, his attitude, his drive and how he'll end up being a mainstay at Tottenham for years to come. I'm not seeing the downside of recalling him in January so he can come back and compete in the Premier league, Europa League and FA Cup. He's thriving at Norwich and honestly, I wouldn't even consider recalling him if he wasn't a defensive minded CM but because he plays in similar position to Højbjerg and more importantly is showing Højbjerg like sensibilities with his reading of the game, defensive output and overall performances, I'm all for it. It's real simple, we need cover and competition for Højbjerg. Outside of buying someone in January, Skipp is the only viable option we have.

I agree with most of this but Jose obviously doesn't think that a backup CDM is that important otherwise we would have kept him. We bought in backups for ST and our FB areas, if it was really such an issue we would have either bought in a backup for CDM or just kept Skipp. I think that he has that much faith in Hojbjerg in being able to hold down his position and being available to play that he doesn't need a direct backup and it's with good reason - his injury record is outstanding. Such is the situation it is now him being on loan is far better for us and for him in the long run.

 

[bho]

If by some miracle we happen to be within striking distance of the title come January, we should absolutely recall him. Having a good alternative DM to rotate with/keep Hojbjerg fresh in the second half of the season could be huge in the run in.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Short term pain of not having him is definitely worth the long term gain of bringing back a player with a season under his belt in a responsible position for a good championship side.

 

[cliff jones]

I would actually like to see Skipp get promoted with Norwich and then play a season with them in the Premiership to complete his development

whats the plan in the meantime? As is?

 

[brendanb50]

whats the plan in the meantime? As is?

We adjust and rotate the midfield. It's not overly tricky.

Whilst i know the options haven't been overly inspiring it's all been a bit dramatic here - Skipp is doing great, building confidence and consistency, does that make him a nailed-on starter for us? A rotation option in general? Does it even make him 100% automatic cover for PEH? The answer to all of those is no, not necessarily. It's all theoretical anyway, but we're talking about a very young player with 21 pro games under his belt. I have high hopes as do we all but he's not the messiah yet.

In the meantime, i guess we'll muddle through utilising capable, experienced, international players under fire in slightly more defensive roles like Sissoko (240 PL appearances and 64 caps for France) and Winks (Nearly 100 games for us and 9 caps).

Let's not panic just because we feel like we're missing out a bit. Let Skipp develop and grow as a player.

 

[HodisGawd]

Of course Skipp is still young and all that and has plenty of time to prove himself as per the above post (which I totally agree with), but I've got to say despite having seen a number of his appearances in the flesh as a ST holder I'm still none the wiser yet about what kind of player he is.

Yeah, I know he's clearly a defensive midfielder, technically good etc but I don't feel I know him yet. He looks so comfortable and at home in the first team I feel like I should.

Maybe that's a good thing because actually he's a good all rounder with no real weaknesses? Time will tell.

But my worry is I feel we produce a lot of youngsters who are all highly technically proficient but don't seem to affect games - good ball recyclers, if you like. I'd love us to produce a pacey winger or someone like Saka at Arsenal who I really admire.

I'm not saying Skipp is just a technical ball recycler at all, just that that is my (perhaps irrational) fear.